Relation between physical exercise and proprioception in elderly: a systematic review

As a consequence of aging the proprioceptive system is compromised, increasing the risk of falls among the elderly. Exercise may attenuate the decline of conscious sensation of body position. This systematic review aimed to identify and describe some studies linking exercise with proprioception in the elderly. A search was conducted in three databases (PubMed/ Medline, Lilacs and Scopus) for the last 10 years, with the following combination of descriptors: ((elderly OR aged) AND (sense position OR proprioception) AND exercise). The search generated 271 articles, and after the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 9 studies were selected to compose this review. All studies showed an association between proprioception and some kind of exercise. Tai chi chuan and multifactorial training sessions appeared more frequently among these articles, while other related activities were golf, swimming, jogging, muscle strengthening, flexibility, walking, agility, balance, posture and proprioception exercise. Tai chi chuan, multifactorial series, golf and proprioception exercises proved to be the most beneficial strategies in improving proprioception.